The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday bombed dozens of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Lamboa in Kaga Lga of Borno State.
It was gathered that the multiple airstrikes conducted by Alpha-Jets, L-39 and MI-35 helicopters hit a notorious terrorist, Modu Sulum, ISWAP Logistics Commander, and several others.
Sulum, who took part in the elimination of Boko Haram factional leader, Abubakar Shekau, was responsible for the destruction of power transmission towers at Malanari along Maiduguri-Damaturu Highway and attacks on travellers in Auno and Jakana.
The insurgents, in a convoy of eight gun trucks, had invaded Lamboa preparatory to attacks in the Mainok axis but the ground and air troops scuttled their mission after the NAF reconnaissance platform hovered over the location to confirm the targets.
Confirming the attack, NAF Director of Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said of the eight terrorist gun trucks sighted by the surveillance team, the aircraft took out six and an unconfirmed number of terrorists.
“Nigerian Army troops and our air elements are mopping up the area and assessing the situation”, the spokesman told PRNigeria.
Gabwet commended the vigor and synergy by all segments of the Armed Forces in the North-East theatre.
Naija News reports that Shekau died on the evening of Wednesday, 19th May 2021.
He was said to have died following the invasion of his Sambisa forest stronghold by fighters of ISWAP loyal to the Islamic State (ISIS).
ISWAP was a part of the Boko Haram group before it broke away in 2016 over ideological differences and pledged allegiance to ISIS – an international terrorist organization.
It was gathered that the ISWAP fighters stormed Shekau’s stronghold on Wednesday with multiple gun trucks and overpowered the Boko Haram fighters including Shekau’s bodyguards leading to the death of fighters on both sides.
After overpowering the Boko Haram fighters, Shekau was said to have surrendered and engaged in a long meeting with the ISWAP fighters.
He was given the option to voluntarily relinquish power and order his fighters in other areas to declare allegiance to ISWAP’s authority.
However, Shekau according to sources had other ideas as instead of issuing a statement as expected, he blew up a secret suicide vest he had on him, killing himself and many others present during the negotiation.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News